Dietary Habits in Adolescents Girls and their Association with Anaemia

To study the dietary habits affecting availability and absorption of iron in adolescent girls and to assess their association with anaemia.

Cross sectional study in 320 girls aged 17–18 yrs with apparently normal general physical examination, studying in Government College were enrolled. Data collected (predictor variables) was related to 8 dietary habits, 2 clinical conditions and with chronic blood loss (worm infestation, menorraghia), SES(according to Kuppuswamy scale 2007), anthropometric indices. Haemoglobin estimation was done in all girls(primary outcome variable). Criteria to define anaemia was according to WHO guidelines. Odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals was calculated for testing the association.

Prevalence of anaemia was 53% with 39% mild, 13.4% moderate and 0.6% severe. Proportion of anaemia was higher if girls were vegetarian, taking rice predominant diet, consuming <3 meals/day and consuming fruits, <4/wk. Non vegetarian vs vegetarian diet(OR=0.44,P 0.015), Wheat vs rice predominant (OR=0.66, p 0.04),number of meals ≥ 3/day vs less (OR=0.61, p 0.018), consumption of fruits ≥ 4/wk vs less (OR=0.44, p 0.0001). Anaemia was significantly associated with weight<45 kg (OR=0.64, p 0.02) among anthropometric indices. No association with comorbidities was found.

High prevalence of anaemia(53%) & high prevalence of underweight girls(45%) point to the improper dietary intake affecting both general health and micronutrient status. Presence of adverse dietary habits in majority of subjects point towards the importance of proper dietary advice to combat nutritional anaemia.